Exploring the Theories of
Democratic Teaching –
Rudolph Dreikurs

Democratic (not permissive or
autocratic) teaching

Autocratic teaching - "I told you
to do it now, you will do it now"

Permissive teaching - "Well, whatever you want to
do is all right, I guess. I know you'll do the right
thing wont you?

Democratic teaching - Teachers allows and encourage students to
take an active, participatory role in developing classroom
procedures, as well as in making curricular and instructional
decision

Students misbehavior results
when individual pursue mistaken
goals

Attention getting

Dominant in young children who feel they have few
opportunities to establish their social position through
useful contributions or through socially acceptable
means, Might prefer punishment to being ignored

Power seeking

To have a sense of self worth, power seeking
students will want to control others and be the
boss of a situation., Might be disobedient, talk back,
or overt resistance

Revenge

To feel significant and worthy(self-esteem), these
students believe they must hurt someone in the
same way they believe someone has to hurt them., Might include stealing, kicking,
and intentionally hurting others

Helplessness (feelings of inadequacy)

As long as they are left alone, nothing is
demanded of them, and their deficiencies,
inability, and inadequacies might not become
obvious., Might just want to be left alone,
and work actively to avoid others

Logical Consequences

Must establish simple, specific
classroom rules

Rules define, What behavior the teacher expects, What the students should do, How the class is conducted or
how the day is structured

Rules may also contain, Consequences when rules are broken, Rewards when rules are followed

Implement logical consequences
rather than punishments.

Behavioir (1) - A Student writes
on a school desk, Logical Consequence (1) -
The student must clean the
desk.